NEWS

Paul Hastings Provides Pro Bono Support in a Class Action against Contra Costa County Juvenile Hall for Depriving Disabled Youth Education

August 14, 2013

San Francisco, CA - Paul Hastings LLP, a leading global law firm, announced today that the firm is assisting Disability Rights Advocates and Public Counsel on a pro bono basis in connection with a federal class action lawsuit against Contra Costa County Juvenile Hall claiming it denies critical educational support to youth in the facility, particularly those who need special education and related services.

According to the Contra Costa Juvenile Hall, roughly 32% of the students at Juvenile Hall have disabilities that require some form of special education. But those individuals do not receive critical special education and related services, and lacking such supports, they are locked in their cells for a variety of infractions, including disability-related behaviors. According to the federal lawsuit filed on August 8th, youths with disabilities can be locked in solitary confinement for weeks or months at a time, depriving them of education and allowing them to "deteriorate mentally.”  This treatment violates anti-discrimination laws as well as California and federal laws that require special education and related services be provided to all young people with disabilities.

The case, G.F. et al. v. Contra Costa County et al., was filed in U.S. District Court in Oakland.

Litigation partner Grace Carter is leading the Paul Hastings team with employment associate Gina Guarienti Cook.
Paul Hastings LLP is a leading global law firm with offices in Asia, Europe, and the United States. The firm is committed to giving back to those in need and currently is ranked 3rd in the American Lawyer’s Pro Bono Report. Please visit www.paulhastings.com for more information.